Autonomy Flight Integration Engineer

engineeringjobs.net, Inc.

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

engineeringjobs.net, Inc. seeks a Flight Integration Engineer—Autonomy to deploy and validate advanced autonomous systems on unmanned platforms.

You will lead hardware-software integration across compute, sensors, avionics, and control interfaces, and prepare platforms for flight. The role involves live testing, troubleshooting, and data-driven performance improvements, with travel to test sites and customer locations.

Qualifications

BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent practical experience may also be considered.
Typically 7+ years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years with a Master's degree, or 4+ years with a PhD, or equivalent professional experience.
Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.
Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Strong experience working in Linux-based development environments.
Experience with embedded systems, shell scripting, and system diagnostics.
Knowledge of sensor integration and sensor fusion.
Experience with middleware frameworks such as ROS and/or DDS.
Hands-on experience supporting flight demonstrations or live exercises.
Experience with simulation and validation environments such as AFSIM and/or NGTS.
Strong systems-level troubleshooting and performance optimization skills.
Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to operate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Autonomy System Integration: Integrate autonomy software onto unmanned aircraft, ensuring reliable operation across onboard compute, sensors, control interfaces, and supporting hardware.
Flight System Preparation: Own system build, configuration, integration, and validation activities required to prepare platforms for flight.
Hardware/Software Integration: Ensure compatibility between autonomy software, embedded hardware, sensors, avionics, and other platform systems.
Flight Test Support: Travel to test locations and support live flight operations, including system bring-up, safety checks, mission preparation, and real‑time troubleshooting.
System Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve complex hardware, software, networking, embedded-system, and autonomy-stack integration issues in laboratory and field environments.
Flight Data & Analysis: Manage mission data collection and post‑flight analysis, partnering with autonomy engineers to identify performance issues and improve system behavior.
Cross‑Functional Engineering: Collaborate with autonomy, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), systems engineering, hardware, and test teams to deliver and validate mission‑critical capabilities.
Integration Tools & Automation: Develop tools, automation, and processes that improve system testing, deployment timelines, data collection, and flight‑test reliability.
Certification & Compliance: Support documentation and system‑level validation activities related to airworthiness, certification, and defense requirements.
Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve integration processes, system reliability, and overall deployment efficiency.